Cambodia summer is often described as something only the toughest survive. True enough, with weather temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius or even higher, sometimes the thought of going out makes anyone faint.

In fact, some expats have experienced sweating immediately after leaving the shower. Some even went as far as profess that they would rather stay in the shower for the whole day. But we all know there is a lot of Cambodia to conquer!

Surviving Summer in Cambodia

The truth is, there IS a way to conquer Cambodia summer, and here are a few tips:

Drink up and hydrate yourself. – This is a cardinal rule for summer survival. Never mind the need the probable need to go to the toilet often. Your body needs to cool down, especially after hours of walking through temples or even the hot streets. It is always a good idea to bring a bottle of water wherever you go.

Hats please! – Even if you plan to just take a short walk to the mart, it is a good idea to wear hats or caps to protect your head from the heat of the sun. Umbrellas work wonders, too. But you really do not see a lot of Cambodians walking around with a parasol.

Wear loose clothing. – While you normally see Cambodians wearing layers upon layers of clothes, more often than not, it can be suffocating to have all those layers on. There are many loose fitting tops and bottoms for sale at markets that are breathable but still give ample protection.

Bring a fan along. – We do not mean an electric fan – although the battery operated ones might be handy! We suggest bringing a hand-held fan that you can use to cool yourself wherever you may be visiting. Some markets offer wooden sticks that expand into fans, and these come in fun colors. Perfect for summer in Cambodia.

Pop into cool cafes for some air conditioning. – Cambodia is actually a step ahead of summer since pretty much all establishments come with air conditioning. So if you lose your fan along the way, you can always go into a café and cool off for a while. In fact, it is recommended to cool off every so often, so that you do not faint from the heat.

If all else fails, you could always go for a swim at a nearby pool, or buy a bus ticket, hop on the next bus and head over to Sihanoukville. Relax under umbrellas and watch kids frolic on the sea, feel the cool breeze, and definitely have a cool Cambodia summer.